Children as young as 12 are being trafficked across the UK, stabbed, or murdered as a result of criminal exploitation, according to new research.

Action for Children has shed light on the "harrowing experiences" of children and young people at the hands of their exploiters.

The charity's Criminal Exploitation Intervention Service, which was launched in Glasgow in 2012, has helped more than 500 children and families since 2020.

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They analysed serious safeguarding incident data involving young people they supported between 2020 and 2024.

During this period, there were 179 reported serious incidents impacting 140 children and young people, the youngest being just 12 years old.

Of these incidents, 60 per cent involved serious assaults, and 33 per cent involved a weapon, including knives, baseball bats, acid, metal poles, and dog chains.

12 per cent involved children being trafficked across the UK.

More than half of the children were not in education, training, or employment, and 80 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds were living in homeless or temporary accommodation.

During this period, 50 children were stabbed, with some suffering life-changing injuries, and two were murdered.

The charity’s CEO, Paul Carberry, said: "This research reveals the shocking extent of the issues facing the children and young people we’re working with.

"We believe what we’re seeing in our services is a growing problem across the UK – many more children will be suffering in silence, afraid to speak up and unsure of where to turn."

It highlighted the need for an overhaul of the system, which it claims is failing to protect vulnerable children across the UK.

Sir Iain Livingstone QPM, former Chief Constable of Police Scotland and a charity ambassador, said: "Agencies across the UK, including the police, must work together to break the criminal networks behind the exploitation of children.

"As a priority, the new government should seize the opportunity to develop a long-term strategy to tackle it."

Action for Children has recommended more investment in targeted exploitation prevention and support services, as well as a welfare-first approach in the management of offences committed by exploited children.